The Scottish First Minister attempted to force the principal of St Andrews University to criticise the Government and tone down warnings she made about the adverse impact of Scottish independence.

Alex Salmond telephoned Prof Louise Richardson demanding she clarify remarks she made about the consequences of leaving the UK in a conversation described as “loud and heated”.

Emails obtained by The Telegraph also show that Mr Salmond’s office attempted to have Prof Richardson release a statement praising the Scottish government and criticising Westminster over higher education policy.

The revelation that he attempted to quieten the leader of one of Scotland’s most revered institutions, where Mr Salmond studied economics and medieval history, is the most high-profile example yet of his questionable campaign tactics which critics say amount to bullying.

The Scottish National Party has faced repeated allegations that it has put businesses and institutions under pressure to stay silent on the impact of independence — accusations always vehemently denied.

But the emails to St Andrews provide the first documented evidence that the First Minister’s office has directly attempted to influence what high-profile individuals say publicly about the impact of independence.

A source with knowledge of the incident said: “She is the principal of an independent Scottish institution. You don’t expect the First Minister of Scotland to call up and try and put words in her mouth. That is an unusual reaction.”

The issue related to an interview that Prof Richardson, the principal and vice-chancellor of St Andrews, gave to The Times newspaper which appeared in March last year.

In the interview she said: “If we were cut off from national research councils it would be catastrophic for this institution … We would lose our top academics, we would fail to attract serious academics [from other countries].”

The proposed quotations praised the Scottish Government for having “risen to the challenge” over tuition fees and expressed confidence that it could protect funding after independence, while criticising the UK Government.

Prof Richardson refused to issue the comment. She sent an email to her press team saying: “I’m sorry but I’m afraid I cannot agree to this statement.”

Mr Salmond also made a telephone call to Prof Richardson, the first female principal of the 600-year-old institution.

A source familiar with the conversation said that the First Minister spent 10 minutes attempting to “put words in her mouth” about the impact of independence.

Under Freedom of Information laws, this newspaper requested that St Andrews disclose communications between the First Minister’s office and the principal’s office concerning independence.

The request, which was responded to on Tuesday, was made after someone with no links to either St Andrews University nor the Scottish Government passed on allegations about how Mr Salmond had behaved towards Prof Richardson.

Despite Prof Richardson’s unwillingness to release the statement, Mr Aberdein continued to push for a clarification in emails to Niall Scott, the director of communication at St Andrews.

Eventually a one-line statement was agreed, saying that Prof Richardson acknowledged the Scottish Government “is working hard to resolve this issue” of research funding.

A St Andrews University spokesman confirmed that Mr Salmond called Prof Richardson on March 1, 2013 to discuss her comments made to The Times.

The university also confirmed telephone calls took place between Mr Aberdein and both Mr Scott and Emma Shea, from St Andrews’s press office, about the interview on the same day.

Prof Richardson and Mr Scott declined to comment on the matter when approached by The Telegraph.

It is not the first time that the SNP has been accused of intimidating tactics.

Last month, the First Minister dismissed as “stuff and nonsense” claims reported in this newspaper that more than 100 business leaders had refused to sign a pro-UK letter for fear of “consequences” from the SNP Government.

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “The dogs in the street know that the SNP has used the power of the Scottish Government to bully and intimidate anyone who doesn’t agree with them.

“They have abused their power and implicated senior civil servants on the way. What has been happening secretly as the First Minister and his advisers bully and intimidate, we now see on the streets as the Yes campaign tries to bully Scotland into submission.”

A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: “The First Minister hugely values Louise Richardson’s input on a whole range of issues, including as a member of his council of economic advisers, and the contact with the university in this case was part of that routine dialogue.

“Mr Aberdein was simply doing his job, and the discussions with counterparts at the university were cordial, as the email exchanges show.”

THE KEY EMAILS

The First Minister's special adviser Geoff Aberdein has asked that we can work together to agree a clarification, in your name, to be sent to the Times as a follow up to your interview. We have drafted the following, though I suspect you may wish to remove the reference to the UK government?

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson said: "My comments regarding independence were predicated on an 'if' if Scotland was to lose research council funding."

"However I am confident that the Scottish Government are taking the necessary steps to ensure research council funding will be maintained in Scotland."

"The Scottish Government has risen to the challenge on fees, in stark contrast to the government south of the border, and I'm sure they can rise to the challenge on research funding as well."

Grateful for your comments/clearance. I can then issue to the Times on the basis that the Scottish Government, being asked to respond, have asked for us to clarify our position. Concerned we are being taken out of context we are issuing this statement both to the Times and to the Scottish Government to ensure our meaning is clear.

Many thanks, Emma

March 1 2013, 4.59pm – From Professor Richardson to Miss Shea

Dear Emma,

I'm sorry but I'm afraid I cannot agree to this statement. Niall is on the case, he is on the phone to Geoff Aberdeen right now.

The Times have told me they are splashing on this tomorrow as I suspected.

I appreciate Louise’s unwillingness to further comment but this will spark more interest in to Sunday. If you were willing to offer further comment saying something along the lines of the following I know it would help us both:

This whole story is predicated on an ‘IF’ – we are stating the obvious.

The current SG’s commitment to the HE sector in Scotland is welcome.

However, the SG are working hard to ensure Research Council Funding is maintained and we await the outcome of their discussions with interest.

I'm copying in my colleagues Liz Lloyd and Colin McAllister may well be in touch tomorrow